ADHD misdiagnosed in classrooms

A new study from Australia demonstrates that ADHD is commonly misdiagnosed for problem children in elementary schools in the hopes that these children can be cheaply and quickly medicated up to snuff. From the report:

A Sydney University researcher claimed yesterday schools were more responsible for the blowout in the number of children taking drugs for ADHD than doctors over-prescribing stimulants such as Ritalin.

Senior research associate in child and youth studies Linda Graham said chronic underfunding of schools had forced teachers to "label" children for their poor behaviours when their real problem may be a learning difficulty.

Teachers were diagnosing a "hyper" child with potential ADHD because schools did not have sufficient resources to find educational answers, she said.

Ms Graham said funds were so short in public schools that they felt pressured into seeking a medical option.

"ADHD is not a sympathetic diagnosis – these children do not get supported, they get managed," she said. "Often the only way for parents, then, is to dose them up with Ritalin.

Since stimulants do help kids with focus problems stay alert, it is easy to see why teachers and parents rush to the medical option first. A few pills are certainly cheaper than hiring a special-ed teacher to pick up the slack. But here is a warning for all you parents and teachers out there who chose this option: Don't be surprised if your children develop drug habits later in life, you were their first pusher.